Author n ame: Georgică Potolea

1. IntroducingNewSpeciesforaSustainableEcological VegetableProductionSystem: MelothriaScabra Authorname:Georgică Potolea CoordinatorAssoc.Prof.Dr.VioricaLagunovschi Luchian International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ April 27, 2018 - Bucharest, Romania

2. Introduction Scientific name: Melothriascabra Botanical Family: Fam. Cucurbitaceae Genre: Melothria Melothriascabra is native to Mexico, Central America. Popular names: span.- Sandita (little watermelon), Cuca-melon, ger.- Mexicanisquegürke, eng.- Mexican Sour Cukes, Mouse Melon, Mexican Sour Cucumbers (Guadeloupe Cucumber, Creeping cucumber).The population of Central America knows and consumes this species long before being conquered by Spanish conquistadors. International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ April 27, 2018 - Bucharest, Romania

3. In 1866,the frenchbotanist Charles Victor Naudin classified that species. Current spreading area: Most cultivated areas are located in Central America, USA. Until now (2018), cropsarenot intensive, which is why no statistical data is available. The species is cultivated more as a hobby than as a commercial crop, most farmers generally have 10-20plantsfor own consumption. From 2009 in Netherlands is cultivated in greenhouses. In the last years, Melothria scabrahas become popular and her culture has reached Australia, Great Britain, South Africa and Asia. International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ April 27, 2018 - Bucharest, Romania

4. Point Map of Melothriascabra International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ April 27, 2018 - Bucharest, Romania

5. The life cycle • The species is perennial,forming in the first year a tuberous root, and in temperate climate it is cultivated as an annual plant. Roots of Melothria scabra International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ April 27, 2018 - Bucharest, Romania

6. The importance of culture • Fruits, can be eaten in exactly thesame way as traditional cucumbers - sliced into salads, chopped into salsas or pickled whole likecornichons. Fruits have a low calorie and fat content and are a source of simple sugars, fiber and vitamins. • Shelf life • Fresh it can be stored at 5° C for about 7-10 days. Salad and pickles International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ April 27, 2018 - Bucharest, Romania

7. Fruits can be capitalizated both fresh and processed in cans (pickles). In our country there is not yet a market for this fruit, but given the growing trend for organic crops, because it does not require phytosanitary treatments or special care, it can become a demanding candidate for intensive cultivation. Currently, due to its exotism, a niche product can be considered. In many places in the US and the UK, demand comes from restaurants and traditional agri-food markets. For example, in the UK, a farmer delivers to a hotel's restaurant, 50-100 packs a week, a box containing approximately 50 fruits, weighing 250 g, with a 10-pound a box. International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ April 27, 2018 - Bucharest, Romania

8. Botanical and biological facts • Melothriascabrais growing as a vine, which can grow up to 3 m in height, on the support. • The stem is thin, about 2mm, with 5cm internodes, and is covered with hairs (tomentoasa). It branches to each of the three nodes, each branch following the same pattern. At the fourth knot forms a simple tendril (monofilament), opposite the leaf, covered with small hairs. International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ April 27, 2018 - Bucharest, Romania

9. The leaf is pentalobata, glabra, with the tooth edge. Nervousness is palm. The petiole has 4-5 cm. Melothria scaba’sleaf International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ April 27, 2018 - Bucharest, Romania

10. USA National Herbarium – Melothria scabra International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ April 27, 2018 - Bucharest, Romania

11. The flowers are yellow, have 5 petals, approximately 6 mm in diameter and is formedin the leaf armpit. Flowers of both sexes are found in approximately equal numbers on the plant, predominantly female flowers. The first flowers appear after 40-45days in the apex of the first branch and are female flowers. Female flowers are recognized by the shape of the ovary that is similar to the fruit. Pollination is anemophilous and entomophilic. International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ April 27, 2018 - Bucharest, Romania

12. Cucumisspecies plants set male flowers first, and it can take weeks for the fruit-forming female flowers to appear. But Melothria scabrabegin settingtheir female flower buds first, ensuring a plentiful harvest. International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ April 27, 2018 - Bucharest, Romania

13. The fruit is oval with a diameter of 2 cm and length of 2.5-3 cm. The fruit has an average weight of 6 g. The pulp is white, crisp. The pericarp is light green with dark green striations, just like the watermelon, hence the name Melon Mouse (eng.). It lasts 60-75 days until fruit maturity. Melothria scabrafruits International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ April 27, 2018 - Bucharest, Romania

14. Culture is profitable because it does not require any work, except a trellis system, from setting up to harvesting, and fructification takes place continuously, until the hoar-frost. The species, so far (2018), has no know pests and is resistant to cucurbita’scommon diseases, so no phytosanitary treatments are needed. International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ April 27, 2018 - Bucharest, Romania

15. Ecological requirements • Melothriascabra grows best in a rich, sandy soil. Seeds germinate in 7-10 days. The optimal germination temperature is 24° C. The temperature requirement is high, given its tropical origin. • The plant has a vigorous growth if grown in a place with good sun exposure. The demand for water is high during germination and moderate during the growing season. • Considering the total foliar surface, water supply should be done rhythmically for good productivity. Water deficiency leads to poor fruit growth, which is small in size or even browns and falls. International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ April 27, 2018 - Bucharest, Romania

16. Materials and Methods The seeds were purchased from two different sources (US and UK) and in the research work they were differentiated as variety 1 (V1) and variety 2 (V2). The sowing was done in the peat substrate "Kekkila, pH adjusted to 5.5 / 5.9, fertilized with fertilizer"starter „formula NPK 14-16-18 = mE in45 cell plugs tray. Germination occured after 5-6 days at V2 and 7- 10 days at V1 at 24 Celsius degrees soil temperature. The germination was 100% for both varieties. The next stage was growing of the first true leaves after 12 days at 24 Celsius degrees soil temperature. International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ April 27, 2018 - Bucharest, Romania

17. No additional fertilization or phytosanitary treatments have been applied at this stage of development. The varieties will be planted in the ground after 45 days. A support system and an irrigation system will be added. Measurmentsand countingswill be done at every other week. International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ April 27, 2018 - Bucharest, Romania

18. Results and Discussions Ever since the appearance of the cotyledons a different growth rate has been observed in the two varieties. Thus, after 30days,the medium heightof V1 (US) was 9 cm and the V2 (UK) variety was 16 cm. International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ April 27, 2018 - Bucharest, Romania

19. Results and discussions Also the number of leaves of the varieties was different. International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ April 27, 2018 - Bucharest, Romania

20. Conclusions andrecommendations At this stage of research, considering the different plant growth pace, the first conclusion we can draw with certainty is that we have to deal with two different varietiesof species, the research willdetermine what varieties are. More data will be available once the research will be completed. International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ April 27, 2018 - Bucharest, Romania

21. From 2018 in USAMV’s Bucharest experimental field this species is in research and it will be develop the technology for the cultivation. International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ April 27, 2018 - Bucharest, Romania

22. The research is also carried out with the support of the Research Center for the Study of the Horticultural Products and of the Useful Substances in Plants. International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ April 27, 2018 - Bucharest, Romania

23. Thank you for your attention and interest! International Student Symposium "HortusAcademicus“ April 25, 2018 - Bucharest, Romania